Dublin’s Hugos is a restaurant located in Merrion Row in the heart of Dublin city. The bistro drew me in mainly because of it’s charm and quaint ambiance that resembled more of an old fashioned brasserie than a traditional French restaurant.
I was sent to countless other restaurants by locals and even pals who were part of the Tourist Board yet I longed to sit at the bar, order a nice deep glass of French red and some mussels.
The night I finally made my way to Hugo’s was teaming down with rain, which meant a late arrival and wet clothing and shoes…..instead of a cozy sit at the bar, I made my way with an Irish friend to the rear of the restaurant, as far away from the door as possible and ordered a 2004 South African Meerlust only to learn that they were completely out of stock. Sigh. Next up? The Borghi Mario Nero D’Avola di Siclia (2009) followed by a taste of the 2008 Don David Malbec Reserva.
No longer in the mood for mussels, oysters or anything else that resembled summer and the sea, I went for warm dishes. The menu was exquisite and diverse with lots to choose from regardless of your mood.
GAME SAUSAGE SERVED ON SPICED PICKLED CABBAGE WITH A PORT AND VANILLA SAUCE, HAY POTATOES
DUCK LEG BRAISED IN RED WINE AND LENTILLES DU PUY SAUCE, SEARED SALT PORK AND HONEY ROASTED ROOT VEGETABLES
SALADE GOURMANDE DU CHEF: FOIE GRAS MAISON, SHREDDED DUCK CONFIT AU VERJUS SERVED ON A BABY GEM SALAD, HOMEMADE RED CURRANT RELISH AND TOSTED BRIOCHE
ESCALOPE OF WILD BOAR SERVED ON CELERIAC MASH, SAUCE CHORON AND PETIT POIS FORESTIER
Other dishes worth checking out include the Saumon Bio Faco Diepoise (grilled organic salmon wrapped in sea weed with a creamy white wine sauce, served with mussels, shrimp and mushrooms), roasted fillet of cod served with green tapenade, crushed potatoes, scented with meat jus and chorizo and roasted pepper foam.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
